The Fringe and Baby Wants Candy

Every year in August, the city of Edinburgh transforms into an international site of all things artistic... Where else could you meet a tuxedo-wearing goldfish (Jenny loved him), two red dress wearing jugglers on ladders (yes, the one on the left is a man), and a variety of other even stranger characters.

From sun-up past sundown each day for a month, Edinburgh is the stage for shows from cabaret to theater to improv - and even burlesque!

We saw the improv show "Baby Wants Candy" and I nearly wet myself several times during the show. Imagine a performance where the audience selects the title of the show (our selection was "Get Lost") and the five improv artists and their four-person band put together an improv musical for 90 minutes - on the spot, with dialogue, dancing and singing. True talent, folks. Really incredible and one of the funniest shows I have ever seen (courtesy of the Second City Improv Group in Chicago, where Tina Fey got her start). And yes, this big 40+ year old baby loved that candy - laughter for 90 minutes (I think I added a few years to my life).....

Castles, coast and more....

Edinburgh really does have it all....

Edinburgh (aka, Edinborough)

Imagine taking the friendliness of Ireland, the architecture of Prague, the glamour of London, the sophistication of Paris and combining them all into one place. Bingo. You would have Edinburgh, Scotland. This city is truly "all that, and a bag of chips...." The people are amazingly friendly and have the quickest wit (a tad sarcastic, which of course I applaud)....

The Scots are still governed by the British, so their queen is "the" queen. They have not sought independence from Britain in the same way Ireland did. So, there is very much a love/hate relationship with the Brits. But, the Scots (as far as I can tell) love America and Americans (despite the Bush years).

If you want warm hearts in a cool country (with really great quality air, by the way), then visit Scotland. Just do it before November since it gets dark at 3pm....

Have I mentioned the pubs?

Irish music, a good friend (Jenny), a new friend named Vincent full of 1,000 funny jokes, and a few Guinness pints....

Priceless.

Pubs, Bikes and Guinness

Visiting the pubs in Dublin certainly helps the local economy, and as believers in that effort, Jenny and I have done our part. But, to take in more local culture, we also took a three hour bike tour of Dublin with a new company (see photo) opened by two brothers about two months ago - Dublin by Bike Tours.

Ronan and Ciaryn (the brothers) were delightful hosts to two Americans today and showed us the sites - from the new amazing arena for football (the European kind) and rugby to the local sites like the parks, canals, public art, and Georgian architecture....

We also visited the Oscar Wilde sculpture in the park - what a hoot he was.... And, we rode to the Irish sea. Pretty cool indeed.

Kilmainham Jail - Dublin

So, today was spent touring in Dublin. The Guinness family did a wonderful service to the country and the world in creating their product. To support the local economy, we have purchased a few of the Guinness products this week.

Jenny and I have tried to integrate into the Dublin community, and the best way to do that is through the local pubs....

But, between pubs, we visited the Dublin jail and took a tour. What an emotional visit - learning about the Irish quest for independence from the British. Struggle after struggle ensued during the 1800's and early 1900's and all were squelched by the British and those responsible for the rebellions were executed at Kilmainham prison. In total, 14 men were executed here through the early 1900's. Very sad. Death by hanging (some on the two-foot rope, which was reserved for the political prisoners) or firing squad. The rebellion of 1916 finally found a stronghold for the Irish and in the mid-1920's they were able to sign a treaty with the British for independence (economic, not complete political independence). It was not until the 1940's that the rest of the world took the Republic of Ireland seriously as a country.

Kilmainham was eventually closed, but the memories of the struggles with the British are still very much alive in Ireland. And, in the "north" there are still six counties under formal British rule (including Belfast) where the Irish still hold UK passports.

Day 30 - More Research

Today marked 30 continuous days of travel abroad on my sabbatical.

Am I bored yet? Nope. Not even close.

Do I want to return to the States? Eventually to see Phil and my brother, but still loving the sabbatical.

Do I know what day it is? Yes. I have had to schedule a few conference calls, so I had to start using my work calendar again.

Am I still on email? Yup, but primarily to keep in touch with good friends and family.

What do I miss? English speaking countries. Although I speak French, it is calming to be in a country where your native language is spoken. This experience has made me think about all of the immigrants living in the United States who live in a nation with a different tongue. It must be very difficult to assimilate and feel comfortable. And, with the Arizona immigration law hot on the news, it brings to light the many issues involved when cultures and languages meet (or clash). Interesting issues to debate, for sure....